There are two principal methods of wiring a lighting circuit, the loop-in system and the joint box system. In practice a circuit is often a mixture of both methods, the principal sections being loop-in with some lighting points being wired in conjunction with joint boxes to save cable and to facilitate the wiring. For both methods twin-core and earth PVC sheathed cable is used.
In the loop-in system, ceiling roses combine the functions of ceiling rose and joint box as the circuit wires are jointed at the ceiling rose terminals. The flexible cord of the pendant is connected to the rose terminals. Read the rest of this entry »
The home lighting system consists mainly of lighting circuits devoted to supplying fixed lighting only. Other lighting is sometimes termed auxiliary lighting, but in some rooms this may, in fact, constitute the main lighting.
Auxiliary lighting comprises spot lights, pelmet lighting and other special lighting and effects. Read the rest of this entry »
Some fluorescent fittings have no starter switch(s) for the tubes. Instead there is S transformer to provide the prewarming and the tube itself has a metal stripe running throughout its length from one lamp cap to the other. The lamp caps are earthed at the lampholders.
This assists in the starting of the electron flow and, as there is no starter to operate, the lamp strikes without the characteristic delay of the switch-start type.
A fluorescent tube has an expected life of 5000 to 7000 light hours or up to seven times that of an electric light bulb. Read the rest of this entry »
A radial power circuit is the name given to a circuit supplying a number of 13 A socket-outlets and fixed appliances using one cable which is not wired in the form of a ring but terminates at the last outlet.
The permitted number of socket-outlets (and fixed appliances) depends on the current rating of the circuit which can be either 20 A, wired in 2.5 mm2 cable, or 30 A wired in 4 mm2 cable. The number of socket-outlets and fixed appliances which can be served by a 20 A radial circuit depends also on the location of the circuit and whether the outlets are confined to one room. Read the rest of this entry »
Table lamps, floor standards, bedside lights and other portable lights can have dimmer control using any one of three methods. One method is a dimmer socket adaptor which plugs into the standard 13 A socket-outlet. This unit has two 2-pin sockets and is especially suitable for controlling two bedside lamps in a twin-bedded or a double-bedded room. The control knob on the adaptor dims both lamps at the same light intensity; they cannot be controlled independently.
Another method uses a line-cord dimmer which is wired into the flex of the lamp. The dimmer can be a standard wall type mounted on a plastic box and placed on the arm of the chair, table, desk, or any other chosen position. Alternatively, it can be a mini-dimmer switch resembling a torpedo table lamp switch. This type is especially suitable for the individual control of bedside lamps. Read the rest of this entry »
These have a similar motor to the vacuum cleaner; the most common fault being brush wear. Burning out of the windings is also fairly frequent and is usually caused by overloading due to misuse.
The popular low-priced rotary mowers are usually powered by a brush motor similar to that of an electric drill (power tool). Carbon brushes need replacing when they wear but the component which is likely to give the greatest concern is the thermal cutout usually situated in the handle. The function of this is to cut off the current to the motor when there is a risk of overload when cutting very long grass. Read the rest of this entry »
Downlighters are ceiling fittings of tubular shape alloy containing reflector bulbs or spotlights to produce pools of light on the table and floor against a dark ceiling background. They can be mounted as close- ceiling fittings but there are also versions for sinking flush with the ceiling and some are semi-recessed. The flush version, and to a lesser extent the semi-recessed version require a deep void above the ceiling.
These fittings are also mounted flush with the ceiling but instead of producing pools of light on the horizontal plane, produce them on walls as part of a lighting scheme. Colour lamps and coloured walls produce the required effect. Read the rest of this entry »
Of more unusual interest is a rise and fall pendant enabling the height of the light, suspended by the -sheathed flex, to be adjusted as required. One application is in the dining room over the dining table. As the light unit is raised the flex winds into the rise and fall unit in the ceiling plate. Matching fixed-height pendants are also available. The rise and fall principle is a development of the old rise and fall pendant operated with a system of pulleys and ballast weights. Read the rest of this entry »
Although the primary purpose of a lighting fitting is to provide light, a fitting is exposed to view throughout the hours of daylight and it is, therefore, equally important that it is pleasing to look at when not alight. Before buying a fitting decide whether you would prefer a ceiling fitting or wall lights. If you decide on a ceiling fitting choose between a pendant or a close- mounted ceiling fitting.
Also, decide on the position of the fitting as this will also affect the choice. When choosing in the shop or department store try and visualise how a fitting would appear in your home. This is not easy when the shop has a forest of fittings, some alight and others unlit. Read the rest of this entry »
